HORSE RIDERS are being issued with high visibility clothing by the Ministry of Defence in an attempt to prevent horses being “spooked” by low-flying helicopters.

Some 400 brightly-coloured tabards are being handed out free across the UK so that pilots can see riders wearing them more easily from the sky.

The joint initiative between the MoD and the British Horse Society follows the death of Heather Bell, of Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, who suffered fatal head injuries in June 2003 after her horse bolted when a Chinook helicopter flew overhead.

As a result of the tragedy, an MoD review was conducted and recommendations were made by the coroner, including that riders use high-visibility gear and a helpline be set up allowing them to check details of flying exercises.

The scheme was launched yesterday at the Gleneagles Equestrian Centre in Perthshire, with the help of riders from the British Horse Society Scotland and aircrew from RAF Leuchars.

Although low-flying is more commonly a problem for riders in the south of England, it can occur across the country.

RAF press officer Michael Mulford said, “The loss of Mrs Heather Bell is one death too many but if some good comes from an appalling tragedy like this, this initiative will be worthwhile.”

Although only 400 tabards, along with exercise sheets to be worn by horses, have been issued so far more are to made available and the British Horse Society hopes that riders will also be encouraged to buy their own.

Speaking at Gleneagles, RAF Wing Commander Bob Lander said, “Since the first Gulf war there’s been a constant demand placed on our helicopters in support of military operations.”

He said they had been deployed in the Balkans, the Congo, Afghanistan and Iraq and used for humanitarian duties in Sierra Leone and Pakistan.

He added, “Training remains a vital part of our preparation. We recognise, however, that there’s the potential for our training to cause disturbance to members of the public, particularly the riding community.

“We are committed to taking forward safety issues wherever possible.”

The review showed use of high visibility clothing by riders significantly increased the distance from which they could be seen by pilots.